Published October 1975
Competing plastic bottles for carbonated beverages are being developed from acrylonitrile/styrene copolymer (ANS) and from polyethylene terephthalate polyester (PET). The plastics have different properties and different bottle designs are required. We have evaluated costs of producing the polymers and blow molding 32-fl-oz bottles from them. The polyester bottle has a separate base attached to it and is stronger, while the ANS bottle offers retention of carbonation for longer periods. For either plastic, two different methods of blow molding bottles from injection-molded cold parisons were found to produce oriented bottles at nearly the same cost. Either lightweight plastic bottle offers savings in shipping and handling costs, compared to glass, and is less subject to breakage. Selling price of a 32-fl-oz nonreturnable glass bottle is estimated.
